Rutenberg Abandons Plan to Quit Vaad Leumi Chairmanship

Pinchas Rutenberg, president of the Jewish National Council, has dropped his intention of resigning and so informed the last meeting of the Council’s executive which was largely attended. Among those present was Col. Frederick Kisch on behalf of the Jewish Agency. Rutenberg returned from the Berlin meetings deeply disappointed with what he alleged to be the failure of the Jewish Agency leaders, including Dr. Chaim Weizmann, to appreciate the gravity of the Jewish situation in Palestine, particularly in view of Sir John Simpson’s expected recommendations, especially the restriction of land sales.

During the first meeting of the Council after his return from abroad Rutenberg was inclined to adopt a policy tending to alienate the Jewish community here from the Jewish Agency. At the last meeting of the Council, however, he greatly moderated his stand. On his recommendation the Jewish National Council decided to initiate agreements between employers and employes for compulsory arbitration to avoid strikes and lockouts.

Last July Rutenberg, who is head of the Rutenberg Power Company, resigned from the triumvirate charged with the administration of the Palestine Emergency Fund.